Panasonic G20 digital channels in 800s

galvo_clare

Hi

I've just got a Panasonic plasma 42G20. I haven't got it fully
set up, but so far, I'm very pleased with it, especially the picture quality.
I had to use amplified rabbit ears to test it out and was surprised that
it locked on to everything and gave a very good result. I haven't tried
the analogue tuner yet, but I presume I'll be able to get TV3 easily with a proper aeriel.
My only problem is that RTE 1, 2 etc start out at channel number 800. Is that right? I seem to remember coming across a solution to this issue but I can't remember where or how to fix it.

Any ideas?

TIA

Damomanye

Same with me, sounds like you have the TV set to the UK mode. That put all the channels up at 800.

Changed it to Ireland on my Samsung and doing a retune puts the channels starting at 1 and the radio channels starting at 200

It will be in the setup options on the TV.

Im sure one of the lads on here will explain it better

STB

The G20 has 2 tuners one dvb-t (for Irish DTT) one for HD Freesat/satelitte (dvb-s2).

If you switch to Ireland the firmware in the TV will switch off the freesat menu and you will just have a dvb-s2 satellite tuner with now and next programme information(epg). DTT stations will be on ch 1, 2 etc and act as normal.

If you leave it on UK setting you will get Freesat Satellite menu with 7 day epg. The DTT stations will be in the 800s.

This is the use of whats called country descriptors and it is set up this way in the country settings to suit each country's profile for broadcsting. It also help to distinguish between diffrent DTT services ie for border areas like NI/reception from Wales.

Technically Freesat products arent meant to be sold in Ireland as the Freesat profile is for the UK. Hence everything is really in the UK country profile. You will have to live with the DTT up in the 800s or lose 7 day epg on sat and freesat menu. Thats the trade off bewteen UK and ireland settings.

You could add the dtt stations to a favourites list as a short cut with Uk settings.

galvo_clare

Ok, that makes sense, but I can't see where to change the country code. I'll have another look tomorrow but if anyone knows where the setting is I'd appreciate a heads up.
I'm not particularly bothered about the satellite options, as I don't think I'll
bother using it.

STB wrote: »

The G20 has 2 tuners one dvb-t (for Irish DTT) one for HD Freesat/satelitte (dvb-s2).

If you switch to Ireland the firmware in the TV will switch off the freesat menu and you will just have a dvb-s2 satellite tuner with now and next programme information(epg). DTT stations will be on ch 1, 2 etc and act as normal.

If you leave it on UK setting you will get Freesat Satellite menu with 7 day epg. The DTT stations will be in the 800s.

This is the use of whats called country descriptors and it is set up this way in the country settings to suit each country's profile for broadcsting. It also help to distinguish between diffrent DTT services ie for border areas like NI/reception from Wales.

Technically Freesat products arent meant to be sold in Ireland as the Freesat profile is for the UK. Hence everything is really in the UK country profile. You will have to live with the DTT up in the 800s or lose 7 day epg on sat and freesat menu. Thats the trade off bewteen UK and ireland settings.

You could add the dtt stations to a favourites list as a short cut with Uk settings.

STB

You are really not going to use the Freesat tuner ? Thats one of the selling points of that TV! What do you do for the english stations ?

Changing country

Setup Menu > System Settings > Restore to Shipping Condition.

championc

STB wrote: »

The G20 has 2 tuners one dvb-t (for Irish DTT) one for HD Freesat/satelitte (dvb-s2).

If you switch to Ireland the firmware in the TV will switch off the freesat menu and you will just have a dvb-s2 satellite tuner with now and next programme information(epg). DTT stations will be on ch 1, 2 etc and act as normal.

I believe you got these the wrong way around - it should read

The G20 has 2 tuners one dvb-t (dvb-t2 which is backward compatible for Irish DTT) one for HD Freesat/satelitte (dvb-s).

Also, by using Rabbit's ears, I assume galvo_clare that you are referring to Freeview channels which have been tuned it. Is it not possible to move the order of these channels in the list ? I saw this online in the TX-L37G20B manual.

I too am interested in getting this set. I'm interested in using both tuners. With the Freesat Tuner, I never plan to subscribe to Sky so just want to scan all channels in. Do I still need to select UK or can I select Ireland ?


C

Sponge Bob

Some TVs allow 'menu editing' of channel IDs/names and many do not. The 800 numbers has something to do with some UK flag not broadcast in Ireland too. If the Panny model finishes with L ( Ireland) it will not be an 800 number but you pay a fortune for that feature I find. If in a spillover area the UK channels will show up as 101 102 + the 800s.

John1000

Is the sound on TG4 working on the G20?

Fiskar

I too have this Tv and am very happy with it. Not to go too far off topic but while I have free sat and a UK location set in the tv, I would like to get RTE 1.
As I have no aerial I rigged up an old rte aerial in the attic but cannot get any channels through it when tuning on the Dvb (tv button) menu. Do I need to fit a booster and retry direction of the aerial or am I barking up the wrong tree?
How is the OP getting rte on channel 800? is it retuning on the Sat and picking up sat and free view through the rabbits ears when tuning on sat menu?

I see in DVb there is a signal 0 to 10, can I use this to find the optimal signal for the aerial?

August 6th:
Right, used an old uhf aerial and a booster. mounted all in attic and retuned analogue and Dvb and hey presto now have all digital irish channels and analogue rte 1. got TG4 with sound and don't miss TV3 which did not come through

Now I can see how much it has to offer with all these digital channels coming our way.

STB

championc wrote: »

I believe you got these the wrong way around - it should read

The G20 has 2 tuners one dvb-t (dvb-t2 which is backward compatible for Irish DTT) one for HD Freesat/satelitte (dvb-s).

C

No its still the right way round regardless of whether its dvb-t or t2. Two tuners one dtv, one for HD sat dvb-s2.

So there Champ! I didnt actually know it had a Freeview HD tuner rather than dvb-t tuner in it! Regardless its the common processor that matters for the MPEG4 bit for both tuners.

STB

John1000 wrote: »

Is the sound on TG4 working on the G20?

You have a Panasonic LZD81 series ?

Press the option button on the remote and change from nar to Irish. Same with RTE1 change from nar to english. Incomplete firmware.

championc

STB wrote: »

No its still the right way round regardless of whether its dvb-t or t2. Two tuners one dtv, one for HD sat dvb-s2.

So there Champ! I didnt actually know it had a Freeview HD tuner rather than dvb-t tuner in it! Regardless its the common processor that matters for the MPEG4 bit for both tuners.

It actually has a UK FreeviewHD tuner AND a FreesatHD tuner. Panasonic G20's are the only models which will give you BOTH in the one set.

And not meaning to be picky, but to be informative for other prospective buyers, Freeview HD is DVB-T2. As far as I can see, Freesat HD is just DVB-S (and not S2).

However, can anyone (galvo_clare) confirm if the MHEG-5 Teletext works ?


C

Zonda999

Dont forget the V20B and VT20B, they can also!

And the S20B too, that has a freeview HD tuner, but no freesat, so i still presume it can decode DTT

galvo_clare

Sound on TG4 is fine, although there's a buzzing coming from the panel, which means the set has to go back. I expected a slight plasma hum, but this is unbearable.
I haven't tried the teletext, but I'll give it a shot and let ye know. Might not get a sufficiently good signal quality from the rabbit ears. The pic was solid the first day I fired it up but it's been bad ever since. Really need a proper aeriel, which I have in my own house.

I'm getting RTE through the UHF aeriel into the Freeview HD Tuner. I've not gone near the satellite yet.

If anyone has more questions about this set, let me know today as I'm boxing it up tonight to go back.

championc wrote: »

It actually has a UK FreeviewHD tuner AND a FreesatHD tuner. Panasonic G20's are the only models which will give you BOTH in the one set.

And not meaning to be picky, but to be informative for other prospective buyers, Freeview HD is DVB-T2. As far as I can see, Freesat HD is just DVB-S (and not S2).

However, can anyone (galvo_clare) confirm if the MHEG-5 Teletext works ?


C

Mr McBoatface

The Panasonic G20 are DVB-S2 , the specs page on thier web site need careful reading to confirm this , for example on the TX-P42G20B specs " http://www.panasonic.co.uk/html/en_GB/Products/VIERA+Flat+Screen+TV/NeoPDP+Plasma+TV/TX-P42G20B/Specification/3569566/index.html?trackInfo=true " In the Intergated tuner section it read "Integrated Tuners PAL-I, DVB-T/T2/S" but at the bottom of the page it read "Notice for DVB functions: / This TV is designed to meet the standards (current as of August, 2009) of DVB-T/C/S/S2 (MPEG2 and MPEG4-AVC [H.264]) services."

I have to say going by the specs these are great TV's

STB

championc wrote: »

It actually has a UK FreeviewHD tuner AND a FreesatHD tuner. Panasonic G20's are the only models which will give you BOTH in the one set.

And not meaning to be picky, but to be informative for other prospective buyers, Freeview HD is DVB-T2. As far as I can see, Freesat HD is just DVB-S (and not S2).

However, can anyone (galvo_clare) confirm if the MHEG-5 Teletext works ?

C

Thats what I initially said, 2 tuners one terrestrial and one HD sat. However you are right, the T2 part will be important for those in border areas.

All Freesat HD "tuners" are actually dvb-s2. Again they are backward compatable with dvb-s. Its part of the spec for Freesat HD.

What causes the confusion is BBC HD broadcasting on dvb-s which is unusual as they are sharing transponder space with the SD stations. That will eventually move to dvb-s2 allowing themselves a 30% space save which will be seamless for Freesat HD owners as its already part of the technical spec required.

championc

STB wrote: »

Thats what I initially said, 2 tuners one terrestrial and one HD sat. However you are right, the T2 part will be important for those in border areas.

All Freesat HD "tuners" are actually dvb-s2. Again they are backward compatable with dvb-s. Its part of the spec for Freesat HD.

Good news on the S2 front so. This makes this set even more future proof (certainly should be good for the next 10 years anyway). I am anxious to go the T2 route since you can certainly see Ireland using this within the next 5 years (not wishing to start the Saorview published specs debate) and, we we don't, it's still no loss since I'd hope to use it by pointing my Aerial at Divis anyway.


C

slegs

championc wrote: »

Good news on the S2 front so. This makes this set even more future proof (certainly should be good for the next 10 years anyway). I am anxious to go the T2 route since you can certainly see Ireland using this within the next 5 years (not wishing to start the Saorview published specs debate) and, we we don't, it's still no loss since I'd hope to use it by pointing my Aerial at Divis anyway.


C

T2 backward compatible anyway so either way you are covered no matter what happens in the dim distant future.

khumbu

don't know about G20 but on G10 the 800 numbers can be modified

Menu (button on remote)
-> Setup
-> DVB Tuning Menu
-> Channel List
-> Green (swap)
input new number
->Green (confirm)

championc

Are any of you with G20's able to confirm if it's possible to scan for new channels now after the Service_Type change on Friday ?


C

watty

championc wrote: »

Good news on the S2 front so. This makes this set even more future proof (certainly should be good for the next 10 years anyway). I am anxious to go the T2 route since you can certainly see Ireland using this within the next 5 years (not wishing to start the Saorview published specs debate) and, we we don't, it's still no loss since I'd hope to use it by pointing my Aerial at Divis anyway.


C

Only a hypothetical PayTV, which may never exist, is likely to go T2. The existing system won't.

championc

watty wrote: »

Only a hypothetical PayTV, which may never exist, is likely to go T2. The existing system won't.

I'll use T2 for HD from Divis so it'll never be wated. The G20B is the best value and ONLY Freeview HD / Freesat HD combo on the market at present and there isn't any sign of any others joining it in the lineup. The nearest was the Sony 5810 which I believe has been dropped


C

superleedsdub

championc wrote: »

Are any of you with G20's able to confirm if it's possible to scan for new channels now after the Service_Type change on Friday ?


C

Hi Champion,


I just re-tuned new channels on my P50G20 using rabbit ears and can confirm that they are viewable.....

RTE1
RTE2
TV3
TnaG
RTE News now
RTENL

...and lots of RTE radio channels

Very surprised so far with the quality - especially RTENL snd despite the fact its coming up on the EPG that I have a bad signal....

Nice backup to have in case my sky satellite dish fails and i can`t use the freesat stations or my sky hd box.....

superleedsdub

khumbu wrote: »

don't know about G20 but on G10 the 800 numbers can be modified

Menu (button on remote)
-> Setup
-> DVB Tuning Menu
-> Channel List
-> Green (swap)
input new number
->Green (confirm)

This works too on the G20

What an awesome TV!!

championc

Hi SuperLeeds - in Grayson we BELIEVE !!!

So just to confirm, is it a G20B (UK model) or another variant ??


C

superleedsdub

championc wrote: »

Hi SuperLeeds - in Grayson we BELIEVE !!!

So just to confirm, is it a G20B (UK model) or another variant ??


C

glad to hear you`re a true believer MOT
(leeds legends night this week in the players lounge in fsirview dublin, eddie gray, Norman hunter, paul reaney)

Yes -it`s the G20B UK model - bought it from seamus watters up north...

slegs

championc wrote: »

It actually has a UK FreeviewHD tuner AND a FreesatHD tuner. Panasonic G20's are the only models which will give you BOTH in the one set.

And not meaning to be picky, but to be informative for other prospective buyers, Freeview HD is DVB-T2. As far as I can see, Freesat HD is just DVB-S (and not S2).

However, can anyone (galvo_clare) confirm if the MHEG-5 Teletext works ?


C

All Freesat HD tuners are S2 for future proofing

AlanD

I recently got a 42G20 UK spec. I use it with Sky+ usually, so to access the free hd channels available, could I just use one of the aerials going in to the sky box and plug it in to the back of the tv?

Ok, so I tried this but got no signal and no channels.

How do I go about this?

superleedsdub

AlanD wrote: »

I recently got a 42G20 UK spec. I use it with Sky+ usually, so to access the free hd channels available, could I just use one of the aerials going in to the sky box and plug it in to the back of the tv?

Ok, so I tried this but got no signal and no channels.

How do I go about this?

Works perfect for me.....the user interface for freesat is pretty nice on the G20
Have you selected the correct options in the menu? can`t recall offhand what the menu options are, will check when i`m home later tonight
There are options for TV through an aerial and through a satellite....

watty

A Sky box uses a Dish feed, not aerials.

AlanD

Thanks for the replies.

Dish feed, yes that's it. I plug that in to the dish feed input on the tv?

Reckon I didn't have the right input selected for tuning in. I'll try again tomorrow.

AlanD

In fact, could I split one of the dish feeds and send on to the tv and one to my skybox?

superleedsdub

AlanD wrote: »

In fact, could I split one of the dish feeds and send on to the tv and one to my skybox?

mmmm possible - but you would lose the use of one of your tuners on the sky box and would only be able to record one programme at a time (i`d assume)

AlanD

What I mean, is leave both cables in to sky+ but physically split one of them with a splitter.

watty

You can't sensibly split satellite cables. Don't do it. Run another cable to the Dish arm.

Explanation and solutions
http://www.techtir.ie/technical/splitting-satellite-cable

championc

You cannot split satellite cables because the receivers send both 13v or 18v to the LNB on the dish to switch between Horozintal or Vertical Polarization.

On your G20B, you should just set the country for UK and a UK postcode (SW1 1AA) and then the TV will setup all the Freesat channels. You can then add non-Freesat channels like SkyNews manually

C

AlanD

So I have this splitter DSU-2 .. http://www.qintar.com/html/tv/dsu.htm ....no idea where I got it from. So, not understanding sat specs, could I use one of the sky dish feeds, put this in the middle, send one output to feed sky and the other output to feed the tv?

Or can the dish feed just one device at time?

watty

Each LNB connection at dish arm can only feed ONE tuner connection.
(unless there are 4 x LNB connections to a special box called a "Multiswitch")
http://www.techtir.ie/technical/splitting-satellite-cable

AlanD

Excellent, thanks!

championc

AlanD wrote: »

So I have this splitter DSU-2 .. http://www.qintar.com/html/tv/dsu.htm ....no idea where I got it from. So, not understanding sat specs, could I use one of the sky dish feeds, put this in the middle, send one output to feed sky and the other output to feed the tv?

Or can the dish feed just one device at time?

I think also this splitter is only to separate UHF/VHF from FM so it's for an Aerial only and nothing to do with a dish


C